Commitment (his word, not yours) is a bit strong. The vast majority of free speech related discussion is disingenuous, ignorant or otherwise unserious.

Free speech is complicated. Saying you'll "do free speech" without refering to implementation or intended resolution to various free speech dilemmas... that means you're probably not going to do free speech.

The part that I find most annoying is when politicians bring it up this way. It seems to be the one issue where nonseriousness meets fake passion most intimately.